Featured Blogger: Vanessa De Su Mama – DeSuMama.com

September 28, 2012

Our Featured Latina Mom Blogger this month is Vanessa De Su Mama. Vanessa lives in Las Vegas, Nevada with her husband and two children. She is a very talented blogger and photographer with a vibrant personality and a captivating smile.

She started blogging because as a new mom she had so much to say to her child. She wanted to speak to an older Alina, one searching for her own identity, and teach her about her heritage, tell her that she was made from love, and why she should be proud. Being biracial and of a bicultural familia, Vanessa wanted to make certain her daughter loved herself, and the family she comes from.

De Su Mama was born out of the deep desire to leave a legacy to her child. As her motherhood has matured, so has De Su Mama. Her mission now includes helping other mothers understand the importance and the ways they can build a legacy for their own children.

Vanessa’s blog is written in a mother’s voice and perspective, one that chooses to see the beauty of our world and teaches empowerment, love and acceptance of all cultures. In addition to building a legacy for her children, and helping other mothers to do the same, she uses personal stories and images to show the beauty of a mixed brown family doing their best to raise good kids.

Our candid interview with Vanessa De Su Mama:

o Tell us about your audience and what kind of content and information are they are looking for.

My readers are amazing, and highly engaged. They come to De Su Mama to see my photography and kids, read my letters de amor and to learn tips on healthy parenting. As I get ready to re-launch De Su Mama, my mission expands to include helping mothers learn how and why building a legacy for their child is so important.

o How do brands work with you to reach your audience?

I work with brands in the capacity of reviews, giveaways and sponsored posts. Brands looking to fully capitalized on my passionate writing and engaged audience seek a more intimate relationship of blog ambassadorship. For example, my role as a proud Latina Britax Blogger has created a mutually beneficial relationship for De Su Mama readers, Britax and myself. It is a relationship I value greatly, and my work for Britax reflects that passion.

o Do you ever refuse to review products you don’t use or believe in?

Yes, of course! Not every opportunity is a good opportunity, or fit, for my blog. If the product is not something I would advise my own children to use, then I could not ethically review it on De Su Mama.

o Do you support any particular non-profit organization or cause through your blog?

I am discussing that option with one of the only Las Vegas organizations that offer Spanish/Bilingual parenting and mommy & me classes. When Alina was a baby, I took her solely for the language immersion; they are amazing! But government budget cuts mean a reduction in class offerings and the amount of parents they are able to reach. My hope is to assist this organization with their social media funding campaign and name them as the primary non-profit of De Su Mama. More news coming soon!

o Do you have news about any recent or upcoming campaign news that you would like to share?

I am re-launching De Su Mama with a newly designed site and expanded mission of helping other moms build a legacy for their children. The new site is beautifully designed, with meaning and symbolism behind every element. I am so proud to call it my new virtual home. The new site should be online this week and I welcome our Latina Mom Bloggers community to come check it out and say hola!

o What advice would you have for a Latina who is thinking about starting a blog but may not know where/how to begin?What can you tell them about maintaining balance between home and work?

First, I believe that this home/work balance ideology was coined by someone that wasn’t a mother. I never feel balanced! The idea is so illusive and subjective, and really, once you become a Mom, balance is nearly impossible. But I do have professional goals, and I struggle to maintain my ambitions and mothering obligations in ‘balance’. The one note I will make is to be present wherever you are. When I am mothering, I am present with my children. And, in order to be 100% present in my work, staying awake after my infant’s 4am feeding is usually what happens. So, not sleeping so that I can work when the kids sleep is what my ‘balance’ looks like. I’m sure that will change as my babies grow up.

I would tell a new blogger, and specifically a Latina blogger, to (1) decide what your passion is and how you plan to deliver that message to your readers. Do you love to write? Shoot video? Take photographs? Is party planning your thing? DIY, cooking, fashion? Provide something to your readers and figure out how your message will best resonate within them. And (2) reach for the stars! There is so much opportunity out there, enough for everyone. So, to feel purposed and happy, a Latina blogger needs to remain focused on her ultimate goal in blogging and go after it! That’s what I tell myself everyday – to stay focused and grateful, and remember that the right success is out there for me if I’m willing to work for it.

o What is your best photography tip for bloggers?

Imagery is so important for bloggers. Pictures are fundamental to your storytelling, so be sure to know the basics of photography and post editing. When shooting, I try to locate an interesting light source and use it to make my photos more dynamic. Also, since I like my photos crisp, I almost always sharpen my images for web viewing.

o Do you have Twitter, Facebook or other social media contact information you would like to share?

o If you weren’t a full time blogger, what other field can you see yourself working in?

If I weren’t blogging and raising babies, I would want to be writing and inspiring change. I have a passion for the literary art form and making this world a more tolerant and cultured place for our children. Seeing my name in print is a fanatical obsession that I keep my mind focused on, especially on the days that being a full time blogger seems daunting.

o What is the best book you’ve recently read and why?

Oh, how I miss reading! I truly have no time these days. But, during my 3 hour flight to New Orleans for the inaugural Niche Mommy Conference, I read Make It Your Business: Dare to Climb the Ladder of Leadership by Sylvia M. Montero, a book I won during a #LatinaLeadership twitter party. It was the perfect read before attending my first blogging conference, and is an inspiring story of a Latina who dared to be the best in her business. I recommend it!

o What is your favorite life or business quote?

My favorite quote comes from Maya Angelou’s poem, Touched by an Angel, which was also read at my wedding. The poem in its entirety speaks to the struggles we’ve faced as an interracial couple, and how the love we share liberates us from the ugliness the world tries to throw at us. I find so much strength in my husband’s love:

…And suddenly we see
that love costs all we are
and will ever be.
Yet it is only love
which sets us free.

o Can you share what is the most important business habit you have?

I asked my husband what he thought my best business habit is, and he said “beside waking up at 4am to do a post?” Building a blog and brand takes so.much.work. I guess the best habit is to simply do the work, consistently. Posting at least 4-6 times a week is also a goal I always strive for. {Not that it always happens!}

o What Are you favorite things to do/hobbies when your not blogging?

I love literature, travel and photography; my soul needs them all occasionally. But, on a day to day basis, if I’m not blogging and building my brand, I am spending time with my family. That’s all I have time for in a 24 hour day at the moment.

o What are your favorite gadgets?

My favorite gadgets are photography related… I love it all! Especially lenses whose apertures drop below 2.8 for a zoom and 1.4 for a prime.